How to Report

Citation: Ann. Code § 43-21-353

A mandated reporter who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a neglected child, an abused child, or a victim of commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking shall immediately make an oral report to the Department of Child Protection Services to be followed as soon as possible by a written report.

Citation: Ann. Code § 43-21-353

If the reporter is reporting in the scope of his or her employment at a care facility, the report must include:

• The name, address, telephone number, occupation, and employer’s address and telephone number of the person reporting
• The name and address of the patient or resident who is believed to be the victim of abuse or exploitation
• The details, observations, and beliefs concerning the incident
• Any statements relating to the incident made by the patient or resident
• The date, time, and place of the incident
• The name of any individual(s) believed to have knowledge of the incident
• The name of the individual(s) believed to be responsible for the incident and their connection to the patient or resident
• Such other information that may be required by the State Department of Health and/or the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, as requested

All other reports should include, to the extent possible (but need not be limited to):

• The name, age, race, sex, physical description, and location of the vulnerable person
• The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the vulnerable person’s family members
• The name, address, and telephone number of the alleged perpetrator(s)
• The name, address, and telephone number of the vulnerable person’s caregiver, if different from the alleged perpetrator
• A description of the neglect, exploitation, physical or psychological injuries sustained
• Actions taken by the reporter, if any, such as notification to the criminal justice agency
• Other information available to the reporter which may be useful in establishing the cause of abuse, neglect, or exploitation that occurred or is occurring
• The name, address, and telephone number of the reporter if that person or entity holds a professional license granted by the state

Citation: Ann. Code. § 43-21-353(7)

Anyone who willfully violates any provision of this section shall be, upon being found guilty, punished by a fine not to exceed $5,000 or by imprisonment in jail not to exceed 1 year, or both.